(A/R: I'm hoping, since the last few stories, that my writing had improved. I've tried to write more and more, hoping I'd get a lot of reviews, but didn't get many. Don't get me wrong, I really appreciate all the reviews people have given me. I'm just hoping this story will receive more then I usually get. I don't know, just depend on whether you like it or not.

The one thing I had a problem with in the last chap, was I didn't know how long it took to get from the north pole, to the fire nation. And I didn't want to write every single day aboard the ship, so just in case you're wondering, or just over read the part, they were on there for at least a few weeks to months. Anyways, here's the next chap. ENJOY!)

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A Prison In A Palace

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I'd never seen such a more amazing place. In any other circumstances, I would have loved coming to the fire nation. When we reached the main city, dawn was coming and light was inching it's way out over the water. Stretching up toward us.

I felt it's warmth rush over me in an instant as I was, for the first time in day, exposed to sunlight.

The air was much more warm here. By the time we'd made it to civilization, I was soaked in sweat.

They allowed us five minutes to undress from our coats. I still had long sleeves on and pants, but it helped to be free of furs.

After awhile of walking, I saw my first glance of a fire nation girl. About my age.

She had opened the door to one of the houses we passed, looked out over our passing forms surprisingly, then quickly went back inside.

I definitely would have enjoyed this on any other occasion. But when the sight seeing was over, and reality came back to me. I wanted to run. Run away from everyone. But I'd promised Kai I wouldn't.

We kept going up hill, zigzagging towards the top of the volcano, where the palace lay. It hadn't it me I'd actually get to see it. The huge building where the fire lord actually lived.

Years had passed since peace had been between the nations. Since Fire Lord Zuko had ruled.

Now, I could see how the new Fire Lord had taken affect. I'd seen that back at the North pole. I would have thought, that they might have at least been more merciful. But there weren't.

The buildings around the palace were amazingly huge. Made of marble stone, red tile roofs. The entrance to the palace yard was wide, inscriptions written in the stone. I was unable to read them though, for we were shoved through quickly.

In the royal courtyard, I was amazed to see whom had come…

I knew this person. He was the fire lord's son. Prince Roku. I'd heard why he was named that. After the avatar hundreds of years ago. What was it like having a father who killed innocent people, yet also having the name of such an amazing person?

Did anyone expect him to be like that Avatar had been?

I certainly didn't.

The Prince stood with his head held high, standing completely still, as if waiting for something.

"Bow before the prince!" one of the guards yelled, pushing one of the woman to the ground.

The rest of us bowed. Except me.

I stood completely still, unable to move. Why?

Both the prince and the guard approached me, one from behind, from in front.

I could see, out of the corner of my eye, that guard reach for me. But the prince stopped him with a wave of his hand.

There was a complete wave of silence. In which, instead of bowing my head, I just stared him.

He stared back at me. "Why do you not bow before your prince?" he questioned.

I opened my mouth to say something, but couldn't think of anything. Finally, I just simply shrugged. "Because I see no prince of mine."

Surprisingly… he laughed.

He threw his head back and laughed at me. Like I wasn't even there.

"I like her." he grinned, turning to address the guard. "I only need but five servants."

"Choose as you wish your majesty."

As the prince turned for the slightest of moments, the guard shoved me to my feet.

"I told you not to cause trouble!" Kai whispered in my ear when I'd reached my knees.

I didn't answer. It was humiliating. The prince just walked up and down the line, looking over our bowing forms.

He told us to stand, so we did. When he told us to turn, we did.

He pointed to a woman down the line, about Kai's age. "Can you cook?"

After a moment, she sadly nodded.

"Can you cook well?"

I wanted to water bend him across the lawn, but I couldn't. I had no water, and even if I did. I wouldn't have been able to.

"Y…yes… your majesty." the woman whispered.

He signaled to one of the guards. The man went over and took the woman by the arm, leading her away.

I watched her go, until she was out of sight.

Next, he chose a girl around my age. I recognized her from school, but didn't know her name.

She sadly turned and allowed the next guard to lead her away as well.

Two more woman went away, then he reached my section of the line. Only one left.

He looked over us thoroughly. "Her."

I had my eyes closed, so I didn't see whom he pointed. Dreading it was me.

But when I felt an empty space next to me, I looked up. Kai was being dragged away.

I want to jump up and run to her, but she mouthed no to me, then was gone.

I felt tears forming in my eyes.

The guards lifted us to our feet and began to pushed us away from the prince, head bowed.

"Wait." the prince raised a hand. Everyone stopped. "I've remembered now, that one of my maid's has fallen sick. It wouldn't hurt to collect one more."

Collect. We're a collection.

I felt his eyes of me. "Her."

I opened my mouth to object, but I was already being pushed away.

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They led me away from the group, toward the side entrance to the palace. Where Kai and the others were waiting.

She embraced me for the slightest of moments, before we were forced apart.

"I'll be with you soon." she whispered quickly, then was gone from my sight, as I stepped into the kitchen.

They led me through to the corridors, where red curtain hung against the walls, along with pictures of past Fire Lords and other family members.

I spotted Fire Lord Zuko's picture. His scarred face was never unrecognized.

The room they brought me to was small. Very small. In it was three beds, which took up almost all the space, and a small closet.

To me, this was but a mere broom closet made into a maid's room.

"Your uniform is in the closet. Clean up quickly." the guard ordered.

A small bucket of water was brought in and placed in middle of the floor.

Two more woman, both older then me, bustled in. they must have lived her for awhile. For they were already in uniform.

Red robes with black lining. They would have been pretty, if I had not bee forced to wear them.

When they door shut, the woman turned to me.

"What's you name?" one whispered as she soaked a small rag into the cold water.

I didn't answer.

The other was rested her hand on her shoulder. "Don't worry. The prince isn't as bad as you think. My name is Lynn. I was from the earth kingdom. By the looks of it, you're from the water tribe?"

I nodded slowly. "My… name is Joy."

"A lovely name." the first woman, whose name I didn't know, said. She wiped a smudge of dirt off my face. "Undress, we'll have to have you cleaned up soon."

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When I was clean, the water had turned a dark brown. The color of my skin. I wondered what I looked like in these people's eyes. Their skin was so pale.

The robe I wore, strangely, fit perfectly. It wasn't my kind of attire though. I didn't like it.

They put my hair into a bun, holding it up with pins. Then put slippers on my feet.

"Why… do maid's dress so nicely?" I questioned.

"We're belong to the prince. He provides clothes for us. We must wear what he wishes." Lynn said with a soft sigh. "But don't worry, you are able to keep your old clothes, if you like."

There was a knock on the door, then it sung open a moment later.

The guard seized my arm and pulled me out into the hall.

There was a man there. Taller then the prince. He wore fine robbery and held his head high as well. His nose was large and he had thinning hair.

"Come." he turned and started down the corridor. When I was released I quickly hurried after. Looking back ever so often to make sure I wasn't being fallowed.

Why weren't they keeping an eye on me?

"Stop look back like that, you'll hurt that pretty neck of yours and the prince will be angry. He doesn't like flaws."

I turned my head slowly back around, mouth agape. "Flaw… prince…"

"Don't stutter either." he snapped, without looking back. "You will no speak unless he addresses you."

I pressed my lips tightly together, holding back the retort I wanted to yell.

Wide doors were opened. Inside I stole a glance around the room. It had a high ceiling, with red wooden beams holding it up. Curtains, holding the fire nation symbol, were draped against the wall. The wooden floor held a large red carpet in center of the room, and at it's base… was the royal family.

Or… most of it.

The prince sat in a throne to the right, his father's next to him. Though the fire lord wasn't actually there. I was thankful.

The queen was on the other side of the throne, sitting in her own small one.

In her lap was a young child. I little boy, sleeping with his mouth open and drool dripping down.

Before the almost complete royal family, were the other four woman. They were down upon their hands and knees, bowing.

I didn't dare look at the prince now, but knelt as well. Kai glanced at me, but then kept her gaze to the floor.

After several moments of silence, the prince spoke. "I know… you all must be scared." his voice was soothing. Which made me yell at myself inside.

"You were taken from your home. Forced upon a boat and brought here. But I assure you, you won't be harmed. If anything," he chuckled. "A mere banishment."

None of us laughed.

I tensed when he stood, coming down the carpeted steps toward us.

"Rise." he ordered, his voice no longer amused. "I'm sure you've already been informed of you duty from now on."

They all nodded but me. I hadn't been informed of anything. Just that I was a maid. But a maid to cleaning his room? A maid to cooking? Or serving? I didn't know.

I kept my head bowed, hands shaking.

"What's wrong?"

I heard the words, but were unable to decide who they'd come from. Nervously, I raised my head.

The prince stood before me, looking questioningly at me. Though he wore a smirk, as if daring me to say something… anything. I glanced at Kai, but she wouldn't look at me.

"Uh… nothing… your majesty." I stuttered, which caused the tall, big noised man to sigh behind us.

The prince went back to his throne. "You are to start you duties right away.

Right away? Did he not realize we'd just walked miles up to this place? Lived on a boat for weeks?

Of course he didn't, I thought. He's probably never been outside the palace walls, how would he know what it's like?

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